A new design for posterior inlay-retained fixed partial denture

Inlay-Retained Dental Bridges—A Finite Element Analysis

Inlay-retained dental bridges can be a viable minimally invasive alternative when patients reject the idea of implant therapy or conventional retained full-coverage fixed dental prostheses, which require more tooth preparation. Inlay-retained dental bridges are indicated in patients with good oral hygiene, low susceptibility to caries, and a minimum coronal tooth height of 5 mm. The present study aims to evaluate, through the finite element method (FEM), the stability of these types of dental bridges and the stresses on the supporting teeth, under the action of masticatory forces. The analysis revealed the distribution of the load on the bridge elements and on the retainers, highlighting the areas of maximum pressure. The results of our study demonstrate that the stress determined by the loading force cannot cause damage to the prosthetic device or to abutment teeth. Thus, it can be considered an optimal economical solution for treating class III Kennedy edentation in young patients or as a provisional pre-implant rehabilitation option. However, special attention must be paid to its design, especially in the connection area between the bridge elements, because the connectors and the retainers represent the weakest parts.

A Modified Design for Posterior Inlay-Retained Fixed Dental Prosthesis

The aim of this paper is to report a clinical case with bilateral missing mandibular second premolars that were restored by metal-ceramic inlay-retained fixed dental prostheses. The first prosthesis was of a traditional design and the second was of a modified design. The suggested design is created by modifying the retainer wings of the traditional resin-bonded inlay-retained fixed dental prosthesis and covering the wings with composite resin. The modified design is relatively conservative, esthetic and provides an extra element for the retention of posterior metal-ceramic inlay-retained fixed dental prostheses.